1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396

Continuing the formula of affordable big-block performance

Feature Article from Hemmings Motor News

By the time Chevrolet's Chevelle SS 396 reached its second year of regular production, it was clear the division had hit a home run. The model had already established credibility on both the street and at dragstrips coast to coast thanks to its performance, and its pricing made it quite accessible to members of the burgeoning youth market.
Chevy had tested the waters in the midst of the 1965 model year, putting together a special model of the Chevelle Super Sport with the new 396 Mark IV engine, but it came only one way, with the 375hp 396, a four-speed and a host of trim and convenience items. The Z16, as it was coded, was a limited-production run, yielding only 201 cars, and they weren't cheap.
But the following year, the SS 396 became a regular model, coming standard with a tamer version of the namesake big-block, a special faux-vented hood, and not much else, though it did offer a lengthy option list, including two additional versions of the 396. The package took off, selling over 70,000 copies for the '66 model year.
For 1967, the Chevelle received minor styling refinements at both ends, but the content of the SS 396 remained mostly the same. The standard engine was still the L35 325hp version of the 396, making use of a hydraulic-tappet camshaft and a Quadrajet carburetor. If that wasn't enough, there was a hotter 396 rated at 350hp; this was the same L34-code engine that carried a 360hp rating the year before, though it still utilized a hydraulic camshaft and Chevy's "round-port" cylinder heads.
But for those who were really serious about performance, there was also the L78 396, rated at 375hp. This was essentially the same engine that had been used in the '65 Z16, along with the '65 Corvette (though it was rated at 425hp there), using an aggressive solid-lifter camshaft, a Holley 780-cfm carburetor mounted on an aluminum "high-rise" intake manifold and "square-port" cylinder heads. Most sales literature for the Chevelle doesn't list the L78 and many dealers were reluctant to order them even when requested by savvy shoppers; only 612 copies were produced for 1967.
One feature that was new to the '67 SS 396 was the availability of the Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 transmission, though the two-speed Powerglide remained Chevy's first-line automatic, even behind the big-block. Neither automatic was offered with L78-equipped Chevelles in 1967.
Though the sophomore year model of the Chevelle SS 396 was at least as good as the '66, sales dropped a bit, which may have had something to do with the introduction of the Camaro. Chevrolet still managed to move over 63,000 units of SS 396 Chevelles, a very healthy figure for what was really a niche model. In spite of their large production numbers, Super Sport Chevelles of this era are highly prized by enthusiasts today.

This article originally appeared in the September, 2011 issue of Hemmings Motor News.